Recommended Western music for elementary school boys: world classics and popular songs

Smell Like Teen SpiritNirvana

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit (Official Music Video)

This one song dropped like a bomb on America back when L.

A.

metal was all the rage.

It’s the signature track from the band that catapulted grunge—a genre that wasn’t very familiar to the general public and wasn’t mainstream—into a full-blown boom.

A must-listen, especially for its explosive chorus.

Don’t look back in AngerOasis

Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger (Official Video)

This song is like the British national anthem.

It’s so well-known that there’s probably not a single person in the UK who doesn’t know it, and the chorus makes everyone want to sing along.

The band Oasis is famous worldwide, so be sure to check them out.

You’re Gonna Go Far, KidThe Offspring

The Offspring – You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid (Official Music Video)

This song is built entirely from straightforward riffs and sounds.

The band’s tracks are generally easy to grasp and approachable even for rock beginners.

The chorus is easy to sing, and surprisingly, there aren’t many songs you can hum along to even without any knowledge of English.

Beautiful DayU2

U2 – Beautiful Day (Official Music Video)

A four-piece band that emerged from Ireland.

The vocals—Bono’s voice—draw attention from around the world.

Listening to this track, delivered with a crystal-clear sound throughout, will let you take your first step into the world of U2.

It’s a song I especially recommend when you’re feeling down.

Smoke on the waterDeep Purple

Deep Purple – Smoke On the Water (Official Music Video)

This riff is so striking that almost everyone has heard it at least once.

The Japanese commercial that used this song isn’t airing in Japan anymore, but even today’s elementary school kids, once they hear this clear and cool riff, will find themselves immersed in this band’s world.

It’s been a Hard Days NightThe Beatles

The Beatles – A Hard Day’s Night

Speaking of the Beatles, they’re such a huge band that there’s hardly anyone in the world who doesn’t know them.

Their accessible pop-rock is of such quality that it’s hard to believe it was made in the 1960s.

As a band that was at the cutting edge of the world and still reigns at the very top today, this classic song is a must-listen.

DynamiteBTS

BTS (방탄소년단) ‘Dynamite’ Official MV

When it comes to signature songs by BTS, the Korean idol group taking the global music scene by storm, Dynamite is the one that comes to mind.

Released in 2020, the single hit number one on the U.

S.

charts and became a huge success in Japan as well.

With a sound that evokes classic disco music, its cool dance moves are extremely popular even among elementary school students.

There are plenty of videos on YouTube of kids dancing to this track.

The lyrics also contain many expressions and grammar points commonly used in conversation, so be sure to compare the English lyrics with their Japanese translations!